President Obama Mentions Gay Rights in Inaugural Address

Many gays and lesbians are applauding President Barack Obama's inaugural address.

It called for equal rights in life and love.

Some in Tallahassee say it gives them hope that legalized gay marriage is on the horizon. Others say that's exactly what they fear.

Will Shepherd is a grad student at FSU. He was surprised and thrilled the president mentioned gay rights in his inuagural address.

"That was really cool to see it not being swept under the rug," Shepherd said. "I really think it's going to help people take it more seriously to see the president putting his neck on the line for gay rights when he doesn't really have to."

Shepherd says he and his boyfriend of three years hope to evtually marry legally in Florida. The president's speech he said, gives him hope that is on the horizon.

"Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like everyone else under the law," President Obama said Monday, "for if we are truly created equal then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well."

"I think it's been a long time coming from the Obama Administration. So I was expecting it," Dean Inserra said, "but still disappointed at the same time."

Inserra is the pastor of City Church in Tallahassee. He says being quiet or neutral on the subject of gay marriage isn't going to cut it anymore.

"As a Bible believing Christian I do believe that God ordained marriage between a man and a woman. Also as a Christian I believe in equal rights, but I don't think that equal right entails redefining marriage," Inserra said.

In Florida and Georgia, both state law and the state constitution define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

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